Kyoto to Hike Accommodation Tax to ¥10,000 per Night
The city of Kyoto is set to significantly increase its accommodation tax, raising it to a maximum of ¥10,000 per night. This move, the highest in Japan, aims to improve city infrastructure and address the challenges of overtourism.
Since 2018, Kyoto has imposed an accommodation tax on tourists staying overnight. However, the maximum amount each facility could charge was ¥1,000 per person per night. This new policy represents a tenfold increase in the maximum tax.
Kyoto Mayor Koji Matsui emphasized the importance of balancing the needs of residents and tourism. He stated, "In order to achieve balance and harmony between the lives of our citizens and tourism, it’s extremely important to have citizens realize that tourism isn’t something that is far removed from our lives but rather something that directly connects to the richness of their lives."
The increased revenue generated from the higher accommodation tax will be used to enhance city infrastructure, including the preservation of cultural heritage sites and the improvement of public transportation. Additionally, the funds will be directed towards initiatives to manage the impact of overtourism, such as crowd control measures and the promotion of responsible tourism practices.
11 Comments
Pupsik
Instead of complaining about "overtourism", shouldn't Kyoto be investing in making the entire experience better for everyone?
Marishka
Isn't there a danger that this tax will simply drive tourists to other popular destinations in Japan?
Pupsik
10,000 yen per night?! That's insane! Kyoto is already expensive enough. This will just make it even harder for ordinary people to visit.
Marishka
While not everyone will agree with this decision, a balanced approach is needed to ensure everyone can enjoy Kyoto, both residents and tourists, for years to come.
Pupsik
Investing in better infrastructure and public transportation will benefit both residents and visitors in the long run.
Muchacha
Promoting responsible tourism practices should be a high priority, and this tax increase could help fund those initiatives.
Muchacho
Other cities struggling with overtourism should consider similar measures to ensure sustainable tourism growth.
Coccinella
The additional revenue can be used for much-needed improvements to infrastructure and cultural heritage preservation.
Donatello
Hopefully, this will provide more resources for the protection and preservation of Kyoto's unique cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Africa
They say it's to manage overtourism, but wouldn't promoting responsible tourism make more sense than punishing all visitors?
Habibi
This is just a cash grab. The government claims it's for infrastructure, but who knows where the money will really go?